As Rick mentioned, the best wartime information on John S Hinton is slim. This is probably because he enlisted so late in the war (early 1864). Rolls for 1863 do not list this man, so he must have enrolled later.

The 6th Alabama Cavalry organized in May 1863 from mounted companies recruited for service in the Conscript Bureau. Up to this time, their duties involved searching the backwoods for deserters and other men who were suppposed to be in the army. As part of James H Clanton's Brigade, the regiment was assigned to defense of the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. In late 1863 some patrols went as far south as Pensacola FL. Capt William G Campbell and some of his men of Co "H" were seized at the Spanish counsel's home in Pensacola.

The Confederate high command at Mobile discovered that many of Clanton's men planned to lay down their arms and disband at Christmas. Before the plan could be executed, officers and men involved were arrested and sent to Mobile for trail. The War Department decided it would be best to send Clanton's units elsewhere and trust for better behavior. Clanton was able to keep the 6th and 8th Cavalry plus Clanton's Battery, and went Blue Mountain in north Alabama for duty.

While at Blue Mountain, Clanton's men watched as other troops passed east to fight Sherman. Some must have been pleased to miss the carnage, but not all. On May 15, 1864 Capt Charles T Hardman, Co "C", 6th Alabama Cavalry, wrote his wife as follows,

"I am not particularly anxious to get into a fight but it looks bad for us to be staying here while others are being hurried to the front. I am almost ashamed to tell to whose brigade I belong."

The Hardman letters are bound and available in the Southern Collection, Birmingham Public Library.

In early June of 1864 General Clanton took his two small regiments and reported for duty with the Army of Tennessee. It does seem that some members of the 6th Alabama Cavalry came under enemy fire while stationed west of Kennesaw Mtn. John S Hinton wrote in his pension application that he was wounded by a shell at Kennesaw Mtn (not Peachtree Creek). At any rate, General Johnston took a look at Clanton and his men and sent them back to Alabama. Not armed, equipped or trained for combat service, they were of no use in his army.

Soon after returning to Blue Mountain (present-day Anniston), Clanton learned of General Rousseau raid into central Alabama. To resist his crossing of the Coosa River, Clanton sent the 6th Alabama Cavalry to Greensport and the 8th Alabama Cavalry to Island Ten. When the 8th Indiana Cavalry crossed at Greensport, July 14, 1864, Clanton lost a number of officers and men in a futile attempt to stop them. Armed with Spencer repeating rifles, the Indiana cavalrymen then swept down on the isolated 8th Alabama, killing and wounding many of them. The 8th Indiana reported on man slightly wounded.

Clanton remained in camp near Blue Mountain until the end of 1864, when he was again ordered to Mobile. On March 25, 1865, Federal cavalry riding north from Pensacola met Clanton's men near the Florida state line. General Clanton was wounded and captured along with John S Hinton at Bluff Spring FL. Clanton's belt and pistol were taken by Lt George F Beach, 2nd NY Veteran Cavalry. Hundreds of the 6th and 8th Cavalry were rounded up in the swamp and sent to Ship Island MS. Again Federal losses were almost non-existant. The war ended shortly afterwards, and the prisoners were paroled near Vicksburg MS and sent home.

Not a glamorous war record . . .
http://www.magnoliabuzz.com/books/brewer/al-county-montgomery-clanton.php